# carbuncle

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈkɑː.bʌŋ.kl̩/ · frequency rank #74,807

## Definitions
1. A deep-red or fiery colored garnet or other dark red precious stone, especially when cut cabochon.
2. A charge or bearing supposed to represent the precious stone, with eight sceptres or staves radiating from a common centre; an escarbuncle.
3. An abscess larger than a boil, usually with one or more openings draining pus onto the skin. It is usually caused by staphylococcal infection.
4. An unpopular or ugly building; an eyesore.

## Etymology
From Middle English carbuncle, charbocle, from Old French carbuncle, charbuncle, from Latin carbunculus (“a small coal; a reddish kind of precious stone; a kind of tumor”), diminutive of carbō (“a coal, charcoal”). Doublet of Garfinkel and Garfunkel.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/carbuncle